Body and Soul Page #8

Tearing down the ring, collecting the gear...

It always felt so good after a win.

Walk down Lennox Avenue,

the kids all crazy for you, and proud...

Champion of the world, for the whole world to know.

You fixed the fight, didn't you?

I been worried about you, Ben.

The three or four times in the last month you fainted.

But I got it all arranged.

It's not like a hospital. They've got doctors...

They give you tests, it's kind of like a check-up.

You know your head's been getting worse.

A fella's got to take care of himself.

Yeah...it's been pretty bad lately.

That's why I shouldn't have fought you.

But look Charlie, you can lick Marlowe.

He's fast, but he ain't got what it takes.

If you keep on top of him, he'll go down, I know!

I got you covered, Ben.

You haven't got a thing to worry about.

The bet's in there for you too.

That's what I figured!

I knew that day at the gymnasium.

All this monkey business with the training to run the odds up against Marlowe,

and you're not really training at all.

What are you ducking out on, Charlie?

You can be on top for years yet.

That's the way things are, Ben. That's the way they are.

There'll be a big chunk of dough, and I'm through. It's enough.

Why?

There's nobody in your class.

Look, I've watched this Marlowe...studied him.

He backs away and shoots a left and backs away.

You keep on top of him and he'll go down, I know he'll go down!

Look...I'll show you.

Look Charlie...keep on top of him like this, see? And then one good punch!

I know...I know.

Maybe it's Roberts talked to you a little too fast.

I'd like a word with you, Ben.

- Say, Mr. Roberts...

- When are you leaving?

Tomorrow, when Charlie leaves.

I think you'd better go tonight.

Where to, Mr. Roberts?

- Where we don't have to see you.

- Now take it easy.

I'm taking it easy. We'll get somebody else for your corner, Charlie.

Let Charlie take care of that!

It's taken care of. Get out tonight.

And keep your mouth shut.

Now wait a minute, Roberts, maybe Ben is right.

What's our hurry? Maybe we figured this Marlowe wrong. Maybe we can cover!

Don't second-guess me, Charlie. It's all set.

You bet your pile on yourself to lose. So what are we talking about?

I told Quinn to dump you months ago. He said Charlie wanted you.

Well, Charlie doesn't want you anymore.

Let Charlie tell me!

I'm telling you. Start running!

You double-crossed me before.

I'm through, done washed up! I don't scare easy anymore!

- Take it easy.

You're punchy, Ben, your head's soft!

Leave him alone, he's sick!

I let you stay on Charlie's pension list...

- You don't tell me how to live!

- No, but I'll tell you how to die...

- Take it easy, Ben...

- Get this crazy punch-drunk wreck out of here!

Come on, I don't scare anymore! I don't scare anymore!

Ben...Ben!

Ben, get up, will you?...Come on, Ben...Ben!

Ben, come on, get up...Ben!

- Ben, you'll be all right...come on, get up.

- Oh, Charlie...sIt's the same room...Just like I told you...

Get a doctor, will you?

- No! No!

I don't want no doctor! I don't want anything! I can take him!

Let him wear himself out.

I can take him! I can take him!

I can take it! I've gotta take it! I'm the champ!

I think he's dead.

Ben...

Ben!

Hello, champ!

Better get ready. You only got a few minutes.

Did you have a good sleep?

- Yeah.

I hear Marlowe was so nervous he could barely sit still.

He ain't taking it easy...lying back so relaxed.

He's got plenty to be nervous about, too.

Because they're certainly going to carry him

out of that ring.

Makes you feel kinda funny, not having Ben with you.

He was a great champ.

Laying the bet, get ready!

I was talking to a few of the reporters, out in the hall...They asked me how you felt.

I says, "How do you think a champ feels?

"He's sleeping inside."

Yeah...dreaming.

Introducing the worthy contender...

that fast and rugged boy from the Lone Star State...

Jackie Marlowe!

And now, introducing a great champion

who has met and defeated

all the leading contenders,

the champion of the world,

Charlie Davis!

Come on, boys...Break this and fight!

Boo...Boo!

Come on...Make a surprise...make a surprise!

Boo!

There's still no action in this fight, ladies and gentlemen.

The champion looks badly out of condition.

Okay, boys...I warned you for the last time...Fight!

- What round is it?

- It's the end of the 12th.

I'll fall down before the 15th.

Hit!

Three...four...five...

One...two...three...four...five...

You sold me out, you rat!

Take a dive and finish it.

Sold out like Ben.

It looks like we have a new champion!

All right, buddy...He just lost his head, is all.

When the bell rings, get in there and finish him, son!

I'll kill him! I'll kill him!

Down, Charlie!...Stay down!

Get him, Charlie...Get him!

Charlie!

The guy's crazy! He's crazy!

I'm gonna kill him.

Take a dive and finish it!

- I'm gonna kill him!...I'm gonna kill him.

Keep running and you'll be champ!

You're behind in points, anyway.

You've gotta knock him out to win.

You know what you're doing, Charlie?

Last round coming up. Stay away from him.

I've never seen anything like it before in my life.

A great silence has descended over this crowd.

They seem to sense the kill.

There's fear in Marlowe's eyes, as Davis looks for an opening.

Davis is following Marlowe around the ring now like a tiger stalking its prey.

By a knockout, the winner...

still champion of the world...

Charlie!

Back in my league now, aren't you baby?

Congratulations, champ.

Get yourself a new boy.

I retire.

What makes you think you can get away with this?

What are you going to do?

Kill me?

Everybody dies!

- Charlie! Charlie! Charlie?

- Hey, let her through!

Are you all right Charlie? Are you all right?

I never felt better in my life!

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